Ultimate forwards fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Durinho to February 13th

K. Usman and G. Durinho could face each other in February. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Ultimate is close to making the long-awaited fight for the welterweight (77,6kg) belt official. The company negotiates the duel between the champion, Kamaru Usman, and the challenger, Gilbert Durinho, for the 13th of February, at UFC 258. There are no details yet on the location of the event. The information was released on the Combate channel website.

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If the meeting is made official, Usman, 33, will seek to defend the welterweight belt for the third time. The Nigerian became champion of the category in 2019, after dominating Tyron woodley and retained the title by knocking out Colby covington, in the same year, and when controlling Jorge masvidal in July 2020.

On the other hand, Durinho, 34 years old, is going through a great phase in the organization. Currently, the Brazilian is in second place in the welterweight rankings and remains undefeated in the category. The Niteroi native overcame Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson and impressed by knocking him out Demian Maia and by dominating the same Woodley.

It is worth remembering that this is the UFC's third attempt to hold the important fight between friends. In the first, Durinho had to be removed after testing positive for Covid-19. In the second, it was Usman who was unable to perform.